Illustrative key for Phalaris spp. in the Maltese Islands - by Stephen Mifsud.
Vers V3.82 (beta)

Phalaris L.
Canary Grasses Skalora
Taxa left beyond this couplet: 7 P. aquatica P. brachystachys P. canariensis P. coerulescens P. minor P. paradoxa P. truncata Description of Phalaris Annuals or perennials. Leaves flat. Inflorescence an ovoid to cylindrical panicle, usually dense and unlobed. Spikelets strongly compressed laterally, With 2-3 florets, the lower (1-)2 reduced to lemmas, the uppermost hermaphrodite. Glumes subequal, chartaceous, longer than the florets, 3- to 5-veined, often winged on the keel. Lower lemmas small, linear to lanceolate; upper lemma 5-veined, coriaceous. Palea coriaceous. Description by T. G. Tutin extracted from Flora Europaea Vol 1-5 (Tutin et al., 1964-1993)

Phalaris key steps >> 1

	Lead 1.A	+	Spikelets in groups of 5-7	ref	2
		+ +	Spikelets heterogamous: one in the cluster having both sexes, the rest sterile or male	ref

OR

	Lead 1.B	-	Spikelets singular or sometimes 2-3	ref	3
		- -	Spikelets homogamous: florets having bothe male and female sex organs	ref

[A] Illustration of Lead 1.A +	[B] Illustration of Lead 1.B -	Identification Tips
		Isolate a single pedicel with spikelets from the main spike and count the number of individual spikelets hence arising from the common pedicel. This is easier done in old or dry inflorescences, because spikelets come easily off.
Image of Phalaris coerulescens by Stephen Mifsud	Image of Phalaris aquatica by Stephen Mifsud	-